MANIPURI NATA SANKIRTANA

Nata-Sankirtana of Manipur is considered as Purvaranga and Mahayajna in Vaisnavite culture of Manipur. Yajna means all acts performed for the satisfaction of paramatama, pritilok, devalok and for those who have sanskar (purification), for the beings and for keeping the cycle of nature, for the goodness Singh (2017). Not only these, but it also denotes mantra performed by the believers of Sanatana Dharma, Dravya, Shraddha and different Shatkarmas. For centuries, NataSankirtana has been performing as an important practice, as a Gandharva Vidya, Purvaranga, and a MahaYajna in the society of Manipuri GouriyaVaishnavites. NataSankirtana became a part and parcel of Manipuri Vaishnava community's socio-religious activities and prosperity. Singh (2015) In ShrimadBhagavata, the only merit in Kali yuga is Harinam Sankirtana in which a person can reach his end and attain moksha. We have been worshipping him in one form or the other. We worship him with the help of drum or with song and dance and it is known as Gandharbam. The different religions of Prachin Bharat i.e., Sheiba, Shakta, Boudha, Jain, etc. have devised ways to worship the Istadevata starting with Sankirtana. The religious sect of Sanatana searches different means to get the almighty. In Satya Yuga, Dhyan was the only means to get blessing of God, Yajna for Treta, Puja for Dwapur and Hari Sankirtana for Kali are believed to be sure. It is also believed that the end of Dhyan, Yajna, and Puja is equal to the observance of Hari Nam Sankirtana. Thus, chanting the name of Shree Krishna is the only means in Kali Yuga. This chanting of Mahamantra will enable the soul to free from the sansarmaya and connect with Godhead. This paper tried to understand the NataSankirtana and its role in Manipuri Society, to know the formalities for performing Manipuri Nata-Sankirtana and to identify the different parts required for doing a whole Nata-Sankirtana performance